SERVICE AGENCY GAINS TAX CREDITS

New Vision Youth and Family Services in Cape Gir-ardeau is the latest local agency to participate in the Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credit program administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

The social service agency, which provides counseling and other programs throughout Southeast Missouri, received more than $228,000 in tax credits from the NAP last month.

The tax credit program allows businesses and people to redirect state tax dollars to local projects. The tax credits issued to participants can equal up to 50 percent of the value of the contribution in most cases.

Businesses can donate cash, materials, supplies, equipment, technical assistance, professional services, labor, real estate, stocks and bonds to not-for-profit organizations that address various community needs, including crime prevention, education and job training.

Participants provide services ranging from the operation of senior citizen centers to transportation.

So far, about $40,000 in tax credits have been issued in behalf of New Vision. The bulk of that amount came after a donor gave the agency a large portion of the building it occupies at 619 N. Broadview.

Danny Johnson, a licensed professional counselor and a founding partner of New Vision, said the tax credits will be used to fund an expansion of programs and counseling services.

Counseling provided

New Vision provides counseling in about 15 schools throughout Southeast Missouri.

The agency also provides juvenile diversion classes and supervision for court-ordered custodial visits with children.

Since New Vision opened its doors in 1998, about 160 juveniles have participated in the stealing diversion program.

Johnson said a review in December revealed only seven youths who participated in the program have been rearrested for theft.

The five-hour program educates juveniles and often brings youth face-to-face with business owners and family members to educate them on the impact of their actions.

"I think it has a really big impact on the services we provide for this area," said Randy Rhodes, chief juvenile officer of the 32nd Judicial Circuit operating in Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger counties. "Sourcing these things out to New Vision is a real big help for us especially, because of our lack of space for programs."

Although similar agencies do operate in the region, Johnson said an emphasis on counseling services and youth diversion programming minimizes duplication of services that might occur.

"We only get paid for what we bill," Johnson said. "That's different from probably every other agency in town. I think it's better because the money that we bring in goes to provide services and paying our staff rather than paying ourselves and people who don't produce."